Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

later than; following

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

using the voice; not silently

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

a youthful male person

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

a cleaning implement for sweeping; bundle of straws or twigs attached to a long handle

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

traveling across

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

divisible by two

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

impressive in appearance

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

past form of “instruct” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

rest one's weight on one's knees

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

supporting yourself on your knees

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

not any; not one

From this reading NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.

without a sound

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.

United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)

From this reading NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.

possessive form of “oliver” — United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

on one occasion

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.

the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

(used especially of meats and fish) dried and cured by hanging in wood smoke

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

suffering from lack of food

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

imagine to be the case or true or probable

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

two times

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.